My heart breaks for the lost.  Those who don't know Jesus.  Has anyone ever told them?  Have they heard that there is hope in this world?  The Bible says in John 16:33b "In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  It doesn't say you MIGHT have trouble, it says you WILL.  Life is full of heartbreak.  Whether it be the death of a love one (through natural or sinful nature), or lost relationships, life it hard.  We have to cling to Jesus, HE is our Hope.  Those who claim His FREE gift of salvation will get to live with Him in Heaven someday.  I want to tell people, but as an introvert, it is hard.  I don't know how to strike up a conversation with someone about Faith.  It's scary.  The first "real" time I witnessed to someone was in high school.  My friend Carl (who previously claimed Seventh Day Adventist) told me he was Wiccan.  At first, I just prayed, I asked God to tell me what to say, and He did.  That was the day I memorized Isaiah 53 as a scripture reference.  You see, Carl tried telling me he believed in the Old Testament, but not the New Testament.  Isaiah 53 clearly predicts the death of Jesus.  Although Carl soon decided he didn't believe any of the Bible after that, he was always open to discussions.   I don't tell you this to brag, but to encourage you to dig deep into the Bible, so when God sends someone into your life that needs encouragement, you can plant some faith along the way.   Just remember, it is only our responsibility to do as God leads, it is NOT our job to make people believe.  That is between them and God.  We can only plant what God wants us to plant, or perhaps our words are watering seeds another has planted.  

This is why we need to encourage each other.  Life is rough, and we aren't expected to go through it alone.  God created Adam, then decided he needed a companion, so he created Eve.  So go to church, make friends, find someone who is strong in faith (same gender is suggested, as male and female go through different things and it's better to talk to someone else who has the same experiences) to help guide you, and build you up.  Make sure it's someone you can trust (very hard to do, but you need to get to know them a little before confiding your struggles).  It's these people who will help you when you fall down, who will help you grow, and who will help you keep perspective that HE has overcome the World.

Encouraging others may be easier for some than others, but it doesn't have to be some grand gesture, it can be simple.  Give a hug, tell them you are there for them (but mean it), take a care package to them.  Send a card, or simply pray for them, then tell them so.  It means a lot to me when I have someone tell me a specific prayer, such as "Liz, I am praying for your day to go smoothly."   It may seem small, but it's a big thing.  So encourage, witness, and do it all over again.  We can do it, because we have Hope, HE has overcome the world.

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen